For Darwin Beceril, "there is a divine reason why we are in this part of the world.” Even non-missionaries are called to the 'missio ad gentes', which “is not just to bring forth the message of Christ, but more importantly, to let others know the actual Person of Christ”. Pope Francis’ intention for evangelisation in October is “That with a missionary spirit the Christian communities of Asia may announce the Gospel to those who are still awaiting it.” The Asia-Pacific region will be home to 381 million Christians.

Manila (AsiaNews) - “I really am convinced that there is a divine reason why we are in this part of the world. It is no accident. Rather, it is a mission. God wishes our country to serve as the hub of the faith in Asia,” Darwin Beceril, a volunteer catechist from the Diocese of Novaliches, told CBCP News in an interview.

It may not seem obvious, but he shares God’s plan is now being realized, often by Filipinos who are not missionaries in the strict sense.

“I have a friend who was also a volunteer catechist like myself before he became an OFW (Overseas Filipino Workers). As in most cases, he had to leave the country and his family behind for better opportunities abroad. But what’s amazing is he never stops catechizing. He finds ways to catechize those around him despite the demands of his job,” Beceril said.

“We can all be missionaries in Asia right at home, but we need to act not as individuals, but as a community of faith. If our nation will only take to heart all that Jesus has taught us by courageous Christian witnessing, this will be our gift to the world.” he added.

Prof Nestor Limqueco, a religious educator and college instructor at Arellano University, explained, however, that the call to mission is addressed to all the baptised, Filipinos or not.

“Every baptized Christian is a missionary. We are called to mission ‘ad gentes’ which can be done within, not just outside the country,” he said.

Limqueco added that the call to mission is not just to bring forth the message of Christ, but more importantly, to let others know the actual Person of Christ, who must be "seen, fell, and experienced."

Whilst conversion remains indispensable, he urged constant dialogue, noting that Vatican II desires the unity of all Christians as well as non-Christians through constant communication, respect, and mutual understanding.

Pope Francis’ intention for evangelisation in October is for the “Mission in Asia”. It reads, “That with a missionary spirit the Christian communities of Asia may announce the Gospel to those who are still awaiting it.”

According to the Pew Research Center, Christians in the Asia-Pacific numbered 287 million in 2010 (the largest group being Filipino Catholics) or 7.1 per cent of the region’s population, a figure expected to rise to 381 million in 2050, an increase of 33 per cent.

• philippines
• evangelisation
• catechists